Moving On? … May is Moving Month

Spring is here! Time to dust the cobwebs, polish the windows, and clean out the clutter. It’s also Moving Month. If you’re pondering buying a new home or selling your current one, read on for some great stress-free moving tips.

CONSIDER ‘STAGING’ YOUR HOME

Staging is one of the services that is requested often. In fact, much of the staging process involved in decluttering a space, for which a Professional Organizer is well qualified to provide this service.

This process of neutralizing, decluttering, organizing, and beautifying allows potential buyers to picture themselves living in the house by tapping into their emotions. Staging also starts the “letting go” process for the seller, as they transform their beloved home to a more neutral-looking home. Staging will help you sell your home quickly, at best possible price.

PLAN YOUR MOVE DATE AT LEAST FOUR TO SIX WEEKS AHEAD

The most popular times for moves include May through September and the very beginning and end of each month. So if you’re hiring a moving company, keep these peak times in mind, and contact them soon. Call family and friends for trusted mover recommendations, or contact Angie’s List.

GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES

Create a moving supplies kit that you can move from space to space throughout the packing process. Include lots of tape, packing supplies, bold markers, box cutter, colored stickers for labeling boxes, and inventory list, trash bags, sorting labels like “PACK”, “CHARITY”, “FOR OTHERS”, etc.

START PACKING SELDOM-USED ITEMS NOW

Ask your grocery store to set aside cardboard boxes for you. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.

ORGANIZE and INVENTORY YOUR BOXES

Here’s a great Franklin Covey Moving Kit by Buttoned Up to help you get organized. I have used this planner with clients and it is very helpful for keeping all the details organized and in one place.

Number each box and label which room it belongs in. Keep a separate list indicating the box number and its contents. When you get to your destination, unpack everything as soon as possible.

COMPLETE CHANGE-OF-ADDRESS FORMS

And be sure to update important documents which include address and phone number (driver’s license, checks, etc.) Bring your current phone books to your new home in case you need to contact people in your old town. This can now be done on-line through the USPS.

MOVE VALUABLES YOURSELF

Irreplaceable family photos, heirlooms, and financial and legal documents should be packed and transported by you instead of your moving company.

Originally posted 2010-05-11 14:04:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?

Movies and TV shows have depicted the drama that comes from the emotional and complex job of dividing inherited items among family. Most families can tell stories about fights that have broken out over Mom’s good china or Grandma’s doll collection. Perhaps you have already experienced this madness and fighting, but hopefully you have been spared so far from this torture. I’ve experienced this twice in my family ~ one experience was a positive one of reflection and family bonding. The other however, was a nightmare. As a result of how personal property was divided in my in-laws family, family bonds were broken. A brother and sister haven’t spoken in five years.

As we Baby Boomers age, these issues will become increasingly prevalent and they deserve consideration in your family. In the past few years as a Professional Organizer, I have had increasing numbers of clients who call on me as an objective third party to help in these family transitions.

When a loved one passes away, it is not just the items in a Will that need to be dispersed, there is also the personal property as well. Estate Attorneys reveal that it typically isn’t how the monetary assets are divided that causes conflict in families ~ it is the dividing of personal belongings that cause the emotional conflicts. Childhood and family memories are tied to these physical items. Unless the family is proactive in planning for this inevitable transition, conflict, misunderstandings and hurt can result.

When I started working with families and seniors in transition, I found a wonderful book that helps families plan for this inevitable process. Written from a true story, the workbook “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate” was researched and developed by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Full of fill-in the blank forms and order of importance forms, the topics covered in this 83-page workbook are:

• The importance of recognizing the sensitivity of the issues

• Determining what you want to accomplish as a family

• Deciding what’s fair to all involved family

• Understanding that belongings have different meanings to different people

• Distribution options and consequences

• Identifying that the family relationships are more important than stuff

• The importance of making agreements to manage conflicts if they arise

Some non-titled property that this workbook may help you to divide are china, collectibles, jewelry and family heirlooms. The workbook guides you and your family through the steps of developing a plan for the easiest and most painless way to divide everything, with the goal of preserving family bonds and remaining on speaking terms afterwards. This book is a great asset for any family who will be, or already is, in the emotional position of dividing personal property of a loved one.

Originally posted 2009-01-09 14:18:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter